A doctor in Cape Breton has expressed worries about the quality of pain management services in the eastern region of Nova Scotia due to insufficient resources allocated by the provincial health authority for addressing patient needs. Dr. Robert MacNeill, a specialist at a pain clinic in Sydney within the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, has highlighted concerns regarding the current state of pain care services.
The clinic, which accommodates approximately 4,000 patient visits annually, caters to residents from the Island’s four counties, as well as Antigonish, Pictou, and Guysborough. Dr. MacNeill mentioned that a second pain clinic in North Sydney has reduced its services following the departure of one of its physicians. However, the clinic continues to administer pain-relieving injections to existing patients.
Due to the reduction in services at the North Sydney clinic, some patients needing non-infusion therapies are being redirected to the Sydney clinic for evaluation and ongoing treatment. Dr. MacNeill, who serves as the medical director for chronic pain services in Nova Scotia Health’s eastern zone, acknowledged that these patients are facing significant delays due to long waitlists.
The waitlist for patients seeking consultations with Dr. MacNeill as a pain specialist spans approximately three years. With only three pain specialists and two family physicians currently operating at the Sydney clinic, including himself, Dr. MacNeill emphasized the necessity of hiring additional medical staff and enhancing support services such as physiotherapy, psychology, and nurse practitioner assistance.
Nova Scotia Health confirmed the departure of a pain doctor from the North Sydney clinic in late August, but the exact number of affected patients was not disclosed. Cathy Lynn Howley, the director of perioperative and pain services for Nova Scotia Health’s eastern zone, mentioned ongoing efforts to recruit more pain specialists at the Sydney clinic. Additionally, the clinic has recently employed a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist, who are scheduled to commence work in the upcoming year.
Dr. MacNeill expressed challenges in securing resources for Cape Breton since the amalgamation of regional health authorities in 2015. He advocated for decentralizing health-care decision-making back to Cape Breton to facilitate prompt adjustments in staffing and equipment procurement as needed.
In conclusion, the need for adequate resources and staffing in pain management services in eastern Nova Scotia remains a pressing concern for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
